Political and Social Thought to the Left of College Station

Constitutional amendments recommendations:

Proposition 4: Establish a "national research university fund" to help Texas public universities become major research universities. The fund would be used to pay for such growth. Under the amendment, the existing higher education fund would be folded into the national university research fund. The Legislature would be required to dedicate state money to the fund.

Left of College Station recommends a vote of yes.
The Eagle recommends a vote of no.
The Austin Chronicle recommends a vote of yes.
The El Paso Times recommends a vote of yes.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recommends a vote of yes.
The Houston Tea Party Patriots recommends a vote of no.

Proposition 8: The state, under this proposition, would be able to contribute money, property or other resources for the establishment and operation of veterans' hospitals in the state. As the number of veterans needing care continues to grow, it is critical they have a place to go for quality care.

Left of College Station recommends a vote of yes.
The Eagle recommends a vote of yes.
The Austin Chronicle recommends a vote of yes.
The El Paso Times recommends a vote of yes.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recommends a vote of no.
The Houston Tea Party Patriots does not make a recommendation.

Proposition 9: The Open Beaches Act gives all Texans unrestricted access to the beaches of the Texas coast, from the ocean to the line where natural grasses begin. As that is state law, it can be changed by the Legislature at any time. Proposition 9 would put the Open Beaches Act into the state Constitution so that any changes would require a vote of the people.

Left of College Station recommends a vote of yes.
The Eagle recommends a vote of yes.
The Austin Chronicle recommends a vote of no.
The El Paso Times recommends a vote of yes.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recommends a vote of no.
The Houston Tea Party Patriots recommends a vote of yes.

Proposition 11: The U.S. Constitution allows government entities to appropriate private land for public use, provided the land owner receives fair compensation. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that governments could take private land and give it to another private entity if it provided for economic development or increased property taxes. Proposition 10 would require government entities to take land only for legitimate public purposes. Land taken through eminent domain would have to be kept -- and used -- by the government for some productive purpose.

Left of College Station recommends a vote of yes.
The Eagle recommends a vote of yes.
The Austin Chronicle recommends a vote of no.
The El Paso Times recommends a vote of no.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recommends a vote of yes.
The Houston Tea Party Patriots recommends a vote of yes.

For more information and recommendations about all eleven propositions to amend the Texas Constitution, visit the Burnt Orange Report.